APPENDIX C
Science Reading Questionnaire
1. Science Textbook
a. Do you usually buy the required textbook for the science class? Why or why not?
b. Do you use the textbook? If so, how many hours per week?
c. When you use the textbook, what are your goals? Identify some of the things that
you are usually trying to get done when you use your science text. Mention as many
purposes as are applicable.
d. Do you keep or sell the book after the class is over?
2. Reading Assignment
a. Every instructor you encountered thus far in your academic career probably has
assigned reading assignments in the syllabus. What do you think about the way the
reading assignment is presented on the syllabus?” Do you use this information to
coordinate your study schedule?
b. Do you read the assigned reading before or after the class? Both? Or never?
c. Is it necessary for the instructors to give reading assignments in a science class? Why
or why not?
d. In past science classes, have you needed the reading to perform well on lab
assignments/tests?
3. Science Reading
a. You have probably discovered that reading a science textbook is different from
reading you do in English or history or other class. Based on your own experience,
please describe the difference(s) between reading in science and other subjects.
b. What techniques do you use when reading for science? For example, do you read
aloud? Make notes in the margin? Study the figures/diagram/illustrations/tables
first? Other techniques?
c. Does the information presented in the science textbook make logical sense to you?
Are you often confused reading it? How easy or difficult is it for you to extract the
necessary information out of the textbook?
d. If you have difficulty understanding and/or extracting important information out of
the science textbook, what factor(s) make(s) it difficult? For example, organization
of the information, too much information, etc.
e. If you have a chance to talk to the author or the publisher of the science textbook,
what would you say? What kind of improvements would you like to see in a new
edition of the book?